A new hybrid and further taxonomic notes on Brazilian tree ferns (Cyatheaceae)

Abstract

We here describe a new hybrid within the Cyathea corcovadensis-complex: C. ×stella-matutina (C. corcovadensis s. str. × C. microdonta). We also characterize another two Cyatheaceae species from Brazil: C. mexiae (≡ Trichipteris gardneri), which has been long overlooked, and Alsophila salvinii, an Andine species recently discovered in Brazil. We provide descriptions, illustrations and comments for the three taxa. We also provide a key to the C. corcovadensis-complex, an updated key to species of Alsophila from Brazil, one lectotypification, and anatomical section images of the pinnule articulations of C. ×stella-matutina and its putative parents.

The scaly tree ferns (Cyatheaceae-Polypodiopsida) of Brazil

“…Some currently recognized species have been assumed to be hybrids or of hybridogenic origin (Conant & Cooper-Driver 1980;Lehnert & Weigand 2013). However, based on observations in the field only Cyathea ×stella-matutina seems to be confirmable at present to be a true hybrid (Schwartsburd et al 2015). Therefore, we are not considering more hybrid taxa in the following taxonomic treatment and key.…”

“…Louzada & Wanderley 2011;Leme et al 2012;Secco et al 2012;Lima & Guilietti 2013). Th is includes the scaly tree ferns (Cyatheaceae), of which distinct species have long remained unnoticed (Fernandes 2000;Labiak & Matos 2009;Schwartsburd et al 2015) even though they are conspicuous ferns and occur close to the densely populated areas along the coast.…”

“…Revisionary works on the family (Gastony 1973;Stolze 1974;Tryon 1976;Windisch 1977;Barrington 1978;Conant 1983) come up with 25 species for the whole country while local floras report even more for a single state (e.g., 29 species for Santa Catarina; Sehnem 1978). Quite recently, some new species have been described (Fernandes 2000;Labiak & Matos 2009), reinstated (Lehnert 2011b;Lehnert & Weigand 2013;Schwartsburd et al 2015) or reported from the country (Lehnert 2006;2011b;Carvalho et al 2012;Almeida & Salino 2015).…”

“…However, this latest work needs to be updated regarding the generic concept (Christenhusz et al 2011;Lehnert 2012) and the number of species (Carvalho et al 2012;Schwartsburd et al 2015). Also, the family has never been treated systematically for the whole country.…”

Ferns of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: Polypodiaceae (Polypodiales, Filicopsida, Tracheophyta)

“…The other works dealing with ferns from there are the following: Copeland (1932), who described some new species of Cyatheaceae and Thelypteridaceae based on the collections of Y.E.J. Mexia; Schwartsburd et al (2015), who resurrected a Copeland's name (Cyathea mexiae Copel. ); Rabelo & Schwartsburd (2016), who treated Schizaeales, describing several new hybrids; and Miranda & Schwartsburd (2016), who treated Salviniales.…”